Puppies must be between 8 and 16 weeks old to participate in the program.

Puppies must have received their first vaccination and be up to date with flea and worm treatments before attending classes. If you are not a client of Cashmere Veterinary Clinic, we will need to see your puppy’s vaccination record or receive a copy of their vaccination history from their current veterinary clinic.

The first session is a puppy-free class to allow you to focus on the material being presented without distractions. This session lasts approximately 75 minutes and covers class format, health and safety, puppy healthcare, development, and basic learning theory. Homework will be provided in preparation for the following class. The next four sessions will include both you and your puppy.

Due to limited space, we ask that no more than two family members per puppy attend each session. We encourage the participation of children aged eight years or older so that the accompanying adult can stay focused on the puppy’s training.

If either you or your puppy are unwell, resources will be provided, but no refunds will be issued. To prevent the spread of illness, please stay home if you or your puppy are sick. Do not bring your puppy to class if they have vomiting, diarrhoea, coughing, or eye discharge. If you are unsure, please email info@behaviourlens.co.nz or contact Cashmere Veterinary Clinic at (03) 332 4313 for advice.

Yes, but one of the main goals of the class is to help your puppy remain calm and focused on you despite distractions. Short play sessions will be available at the end of each class for puppies that are suitably matched based on play style and confidence level. Even if puppies do not play together, they are still socialising by being in the presence of other people and dogs.

Our program is designed to provide both practical and theoretical guidance tailored to your puppy’s unique needs. We offer a variety of science-backed resources to support you throughout your puppy’s learning journey, ensuring their welfare is a priority. We also focus on making veterinary visits a positive experience by allowing puppies to explore locations and equipment that will become part of their routine health checks.

Veterinary clinics are a place your puppy will visit throughout their life, but for some dogs, these visits can be extremely stressful. That’s why it’s important to create positive and fun experiences in this environment from an early age.

During puppy class, we use positive reinforcement-based training along with gradual exposure to equipment commonly used in health checks and veterinary procedures. This helps reduce fear and anxiety, making future vet visits less stressful for both you and your puppy.

Even experienced dog owners can benefit from puppy school, as it provides valuable insights into normal puppy behaviour and the best ways to support your puppy during this important developmental stage. The sensitive period for socialisation occurs between three and 14 weeks of age, shaping a puppy’s confidence and sociability as an adult. Our program helps you understand your puppy’s needs, so you are equipped to guide them in becoming a well-adjusted adult dog.

If you need to cancel, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance to receive a full refund. Cancellations made after this period will not be eligible for a refund.

If there are not enough registrations for a class, we will either postpone the start date (if this suits those already registered) or issue a full refund.